Status Updates From The Way I See It

‘My fundraising for The Silver Lining Appeal had risen a lot since February, and I’ve now raised over £13,000. The neuro-rehabilitation room is going to be called ‘Nicole’s suite’, which I’m over the moon about. The room will hopefully be used from summer 2008. If anyone reading this is unfortunate enough to have to use the room, I hope that it helps you recover.’

‘Four officials from the Tower of London came to talk to us. I tried on some armour and got to feel the crown jewels, quite literally! A Beefeater called Richard was really nice and funny. He had his uniform on and let me feel it. I felt the medals and the embroidery on his chest. He said, “You’re not feeling any more,” and I said, “I don’t want to!” I hope he wasn’t too offended!’

‘This was the day that Mum told me that I hadn’t got long to live. When two of my nurses explained that I would never walk or see again, I was devastated... they asked me what I wanted to do. I replied, ‘Go shopping, but I’ll go when I’m better and can walk.’ It was then that they told me I had to do it now. That’s what I thought, ‘NO. I’m going to fight and I will prove everyone wrong.’’

‘he asked me to show him some stretches. So there I was, in the middle of his tiny room, demonstrating my gymnastic skills. I got the impression he thought that if my arm really hurt, I shouldn’t be able to stretch like that.’

This reminds me of when I was first diagnosed with my liver disease. I felt faint and sick every time I ate at lunch, but never any other time. It took them ages to take me seriously.

Not a history book for once, this is rare! I read this book when I was 11, the same age Nicole was when she was diagnosed with cancer, and it had a huge impact on me. I just loved the way she loved life, she was so upbeat and just got on with things. I finally managed to find a copy (it is out of print now) and am reading it immediately.

The mom's parts are the hardest to read. Both mother and daughter have been thru so much, it's mind boggling.